Stripes & Sunshine

     This time of year it is super easy to throw on a cute dress, fun shoes, earrings and you are good to go and look polished in an instant.  With two sweet girls to run around, getting ready fast is even more important for me these days, but I find getting ready much easier in the spring and summer.  I also LOVE the fact that you can find amazing deals on cute little summer dresses and paired with the right accessories, no one would ever guess the price of the dress! (like this $14.00 dress)

     I know I'll wear this stripe dress tons this spring and summer.  I love it dressed up a little with the red accessories, but I also think it will be perfect to throw on over a swimsuit, especially on the days I need to run errands before pool time.  I'm planning to order this dress in the green and white stripe and pair with some of my favorite pink accessories.  It runs pretty true to size, maybe a tad large, but I am in an XS for reference.  These shoes were an absolute must!  Ruffles, ric rac, and bright colors are the perfect combination and these earrings have been on repeat, as I think I am going on day four.  (Just wore them to lunch with Matthew today).  :)

     For those of you who have known us for years, know Matthew and l love eating at Houston's.  I lived close to one when I lived in Atlanta after college and when he would come into town, we would eat there every Friday night!  We love taking the girls too!  A few years ago, they added a kale salad to their menu and we all loved it, the girls included.  We don't live particularly close to a Houston's, Hillstone (or Palm Beach Grill...wishful thinking), so I tried recreating it.  I'm not sure it is the exact same thing, but I consider it a win because we all like it and it means all four of us are getting a hearty dose of kale at dinnertime!  Here is the recipe...let me know what you think!

Peanut Kale Salad

For the dressing

3/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup rice vinegar

1 tsp sesame oil

3 tsp honey

2 tsp water

1/2 cup peanuts

1 tsp salt

1 tsp lemon juice

Place all ingredients in a food processor and set aside

Other Ingredients

1 bunch organic kale

1 bag of shredded organic cabbage

1/2 cup roasted, roughly chopped peanuts

1 bunch cilantro

1/4 cup shaved parmesan

1.  Wash and de-stem kale.  Wash the cilantro and mix kale, cilantro, and cabbage.  Pour the dressing over mixture and make sure dressing coats the kale.  My girls like it best when it has been sitting on the kale for at least an hour in the refrigerator, so the kale is not as hard.  Loosely mix in the peanuts and top with the shaved parmesan.  Enjoy!

(very loosely adapted from Houston's emerald kale salad)